Plastic wall trim

ABSTRACT

A unitary elongate wall trim member formed of plastic including a closable and lockable cover formed to cover the means, such as screws, used to affix the trim member in place.

' United States Patent 11 1 Rutkowski et a1.

m 3,831,334 [451 Aug. 27, 1974 [54] PLASTIC WALL TRIM [75] Inventors: Edward J. Rutkowski; Jack A.

Dawdy, both of Kenmore; Robert F. Hause, Tonawanda; lrvine G.

Reinig, II, Williamsville, all of NY. I

[73] Assignee: National Gypsum Company,

Buffalo, NY.

[22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1970 [21] Appl. No.2 95,114

[52] US. Cl 52/287, 52/290, 52/716 [51] Int. Cl E04f 19/04 [58] Field of Search 52/290, 288, 287, 716,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Tompkins 52/716 2,843,889 7/1958 Keller 52/287 X 2,910,033 10/1959 Weisburg.... 52/717 3,505,773 4/1970 Thomas 52/287 X 3,568,386 3/1971 Gossen 52/288 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,144,551 3/1969 Great Britain 52/287 2,011,205 9/1970 Germany 52/290 Primary ExaminerPrice C. Faw, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert F. Hause ABSTRACT A unitary elongate wall trim member formed of plastic including a closable and lockable cover formed to cover the means, such as screws, used to affix the trim member in place.

7 Clains, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTED 3, 8 3 l .3 3 4 Fig.2

ATTORNEY PAlimmmsz'nsu man Inventors. Edward J. Rutkowski Jack A. Dowdy Robert F. House Irvine G. Reinig 11 BY )aw. ATTORNEY PLASTIC WALL TRIM The present invention relates to wall trim elements,

such as an elongate plastic base cover, having an elongate double wall portion of which an inner wall is suitable for receiving screws and an outer wall is foldable, open, for placing screws through the inner wall, and then closed and locked, to hide the screw heads. Wall trim elements are attached to a building structure in various ways, including nailing and screwing the trim elements in place. A problem in using nails and screws with building trim elements is the relatively unsightly nail head or screw head which can be seen.

Trim elements have been provided which have a groove which holds a cover strip which is available separately and inserted in the groove after nailing or screwing is completed.

- It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel unitary trim element with a foldable cover strip to hide nail or screw heads.

It is a further object to provide such trim elements with means to hold the foldable cover strip in a closed portion.

It is a still further object to provide unitary plastic extrusions with a place for screw attachment and a cover to hide the screw heads.

It is a further object to provide a wall base trim element with an integral screw head cover.

It is a further object to provide a batten with integral means for covering a screw head.

These and other objects will be clearly understood in considering the preferred embodiments as set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional isometric view of the bottom of a wall having a base trim thereon in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with a base widener disposed above the base trim.

FIG. 3 is a view'similar to FIG. 1 with a relatively thin base trim made in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with a further modified form of base trim.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with a decorative covering adhered to the base trim. 7

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of a wallboard joint with a novel batten strip over the joint, embodying the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a floor 10 with a partition wall 12 extending upward therefrom. Wall 12 includes an elongate floor runner l4 affixed to floor 10, having a bottom web 16 and two upwardly extruding flanges l8, 18.

A plurality of spaced vertical studs 20 have their bottom ends disposed in floor runner 14'. Studs 20 are of about 20 or gauge sheet metal, formed in a C shaped cross-section, including central web 22 and side flanges 24, 24. Side flanges 24, 24 face outwardly, on each of the two respective sides, and have wallboard 26 attached thereto by drywall screws 28 which extend through the side flanges 24.

Since, as is well known, the corner formed by the wallboard 26 meeting the floor 10 does not have a finished appearance, this corner is hidden by a base trim 30, the base trim 30 being of a novel construction. Base face portion 32 with an outtumed bottom skirt portion 34 and a boxlike, attachment portion 36 along the top.

The attachment portion 36 includes a bottom wall 38, top wall 40, inner wall 42 and outer wall or cover 44. Cover 44 is adjoined to bottom wall 38 and face portion 32 along the bottom edge 46 of cover 44. Top wall has a short downwardly extending lip 48 disposed to contact the upper edge 50 of cover 44.

Base trim 30 is preferably made by an extrusion process in which cover 44 is disposed turned outwardly, as shown in broken lines as cover 44. Base trim 30 is affixed along the bottom of partition wall 12 by selfdrilling screws 52 which extend through inner wall 42, wallboard 26 and one of the side flanges 24 of stud 20. The screws 52 are inserted by suitable tools while cover 44 is turned outwardly and downwardly, and, after insertion of all the screws in a length of base trim 30, the cover 44 is folded upwardly and inwardly and the upper edge 50 is forced past lip 48, which thereafter holds the cover closed.

In the preferred embodiment, the base trim 30 is extruded using vinyl chloride raw material of two different degrees of rigidity, with the bottom skirt portions 34 and the cover 44 of a relatively more flexible vinyl chloride than that used throughout the rest of base trim 30.

FIG. 2 is the structure of FIG. 1 with an additional optional element, a base widener 60, affixed above and overlapping the attachment portion 36 of base trim 30. Base widener will be preferred if the floor 10 is so uneven that the base trim must be so uneven it is obviously not straight along its top. The base widener is then applied completely straight and substantially horizontal. Base widener 60 is preferably identical in structure to base trim 30, thus including a face portion 32 and a boxlike attachment portion 36. By making the trim 30 is a single plastic extrusion of a semi-rigid plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride, and includes a tall, thin base trim 30 with a bottom skirt portion 34 extending straight downward, the skirt portion 34' may be curved outwardly to the desired curvature as the base trim 30 is applied to a wall and the base trim 30 with the straight skirt portion 34 may be used as basewidener FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with a modified base trim 70. Base trim includes face portion 72 with skirt portion 74 and attachment portion 76. Attachment portion 76 includes an inner wall 78 and an outer wall or cover 80. Screws 52 extend through inner wall 78, wallboard 26 and one of the side flanges 24 of stud 20. The screws are inserted by suitable tools while cover 80 is turned outwardly and downwardly and, after insertion of all'the screws in a length of base trim 70, the cover 80 is folded upwardly and inwardly and an upper edge 82 of cover 80 is forced past a lip 84,

which is part of inner wall 78, and which holds the cover 80 closed, hiding the screws 52.

FIG. 4 shows a further modified base trim 80, which is similar to base trim 30 except that additional elements are included. Base trim includes a face portion 92 with a skirt portion 94, and a boxlike, elongate attachment portion 96. Attachment portion 96 has an inner wall 98 formed with a dove-tailed groove 100 on the side abutting the wallboard 26. Groove 100 is adapted to receive a short strip of screwable sheet metal which extends between two abutting ends of base trim 90, whenever a splice becomes necessary, which, with screws 52 through the portion of sheet metal strip extending into the groove 100 of each abutting end of base trim, holds the abutted ends aligned.

Extending upward and then inward from attachment portion 96 is an L-shaped extension 102 including a relatively thin, elongate, flexible edge strip 104. Edge strip 104 is adapted to abut the surface of wallboard 26 continuously even if there are rough portions, or batten strips, along the extent of base trim 90.

The bottom of base trim 90 includes, in addition to the outwardly turned skirt portion 94, an inwardly directed bottom seal 106 consisting of an elongate flat section of plastic which is driven under the floor runner 14, providing a more positive water seal.

FIG. shows a modified base trim 100 with face portion 112, skirt portion 114 and attachment portion 1 16. A decorative vinyl film 120 is wrapped around and adhered to all of the exposed portions of base trim 110. The attachment portion 116 is formed with a cover 122 which extends over an inner wall 124 and which interlocks therewith, with a lip 126 of cover 122 engaging a groove 128 of inner wall 124. Screws 52 extend through inner wall 124, wallboard 26 and flange 24, and are hidden by cover 122.

FIG. 6 shows a batten 130 including an inner wall 132 and a cover 134. Batten 130 preferably includes a decorative vinyl film 136 covering the exposed portions of batten 130. Cover 134 extends over the edge of inner wall 132 and interlocks therewith with a lip 138 of cover 134 engaging a groove 140 of inner wall 132. Screws 142 extend through inner wall 132 and engage a screwable stud flange 24, holding batten 130 over the joint 144 between two wallboards 26. Cover 134 hides the screws 142.

Having completed a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiments of our invention so that those skilled in the art may practice the same, we contemplate that variations may be made without departing from the essence of the invention.

We claim:

1. A unitary elongate thermoplastic building wall trim element comprising an elongate front trim surface providing a finished desirable appearance, an inner wall having an elongate back surface adapted to be disposed against a building wall, at least a portion of said front trim surface having an elongate foldable cover portion, said cover portion being foldable outwardly relative to said inner wall whereby fasteners may be placed through said inner wall without passing through said cover portion, said cover portion being foldable inwardly and adapted to cover fasteners that may be placed through said inner wall, and elongate means for holding said cover portion in an inwardly folded position, said cover portion having an elongate back surface substantially all of which is formed to lie in contact against said inner wall when in an inwardly folded position.

2. A trim element as defined in claim 1, suitable as a batten strip, wherein said trim element consists essentially of said inner wall, said foldable cover portion and said means for holding said cover portion in an inwardly folded position.

3. A trim element as defined in claim 2 wherein at least a part of said cover portion whereat said cover portion is foldable is of a relatively more flexible material than other parts of said trim element.

4. A trim element as defined in claim 1 wherein a thin plastic film is adhered to at least all of said front trim surface providing the said finished desirable appearance.

5. A trim element as defined in claim 1 wherein at least a part of said cover portion whereat said cover portion is foldable is of a distinctly different, relatively more flexible material than other parts of said trim element.

6. In combination, a building wall and a trim element, said trim element being formed as defined in claim 1, and being affixed to the basic surface of said building wall, said trim element being affixed to said building wall by fasteners, said fasteners being disposed through said trim element inner wall and into the basic surface of said building wall, and said cover portion being held in an inwardly folded position by said holding means, said cover portion hiding said fasteners from view.

7. In combination a building wall and a unitary elongate thermoplastic building wall base trim element, said trim element comprising an elongate front trim surface providing a finished desirable appearance, an inner wall having an elongate back surface adapted to be disposed against a building wall, at least a portion of said front trim surface having an elongate foldable cover portion, said cover portion beirig foldable outwardly relative to said inner wall whereby fasteners may be placed through said inner wall without passing through said cover portion, said cover portion being foldable inwardly and adapted to cover fasteners that may be placed through said inner wall, and elongate means for holding said cover portion in an inwardly folded position, wherein said foldable cover portion is a narrow strip relative to the width of the whole trim element and is disposed along a top edge of said trim element and an elongate skirt portion extends downwardly from said cover portion adapted to abut along a floor as said trim element is being affixed along a wall bottom edge, said building wall further comprising a second of said trim elements, said two trim elements each being suitable as base trim, wherein said foldable cover portion is disposed along a top edge thereof and elongate skirt portion extends downwardly from said cover portion, said skirt portion of one of said trim elements abutting a floor, and said skirt portion of the other of said trim elements overlapping the upper portion of the first said trim element.

527$? UNITED STATES PATENT @FICE :v- CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,s31 334= Dated August 27.-1974 lnventofls) Ed Irvine G. -'Reinig II- It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 637 "base trim 80" should be -f-base trim """o-- 7 6011mm 9 i 14, "base trim 100" should be -ibase trim Signed and sealed this 19th day of November 1974. I

(SEAL) Attest: I

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR, c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Qfjficer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A unitary elongate thermoplastic building wall trim element comprising an elongate front trim surface providing a finished desirable appearance, an inner wall having an elongate back surface adapted to be disposed against a building wall, at least a portion of said front trim surface having an elongate foldable cover portion, said cover portion being foldable outwardly relative to said inner wall whereby fasteners may be placed through said inner wall without passing through said cover portion, said cover portion being foldable inwardly and adapted to cover fasteners that may be placed through said inner wall, and elongate means for holding said cover portion in an inwardly folded position, said cover portion having an elongate back surface substantially all of which is formed to lie in contact against said inner wall when in an inwardly folded position.
 2. A trim element as defined in claim 1, suitable as a batten strip, wherein said trim element consists essentially of said inner wall, said foldable cover portion and said means for holding said cover portion in an inwardly folded position.
 3. A trim element as defined in claim 2 wherein at least a part of said cover portion whereat said cover portion is foldable is of a relatively more flexible material than other parts of said trim element.
 4. A trim element as defined in claim 1 wherein a thin plastic film is adhered to at least all of said front trim surface providing the said finished desirable appearance.
 5. A trim element as defined in claim 1 wherein at least a part of said cover portion whereat said cover portion is foldable is of a distinctly different, relatively more flexible material than other parts of said trim element.
 6. In combination, a building wall and a trim element, said trim element being formed as defined in claim 1, and being affixed to the basic surface of said building wall, said trim element being affixed to said building wall by fasteners, said fasteners being disposed through said trim element inner wall and into the basic surface of said building wall, and said cover portion being held in an inwardly folded position by said holding means, said cover portion hiding said fasteners from view.
 7. In combination a building wall and a unitary elongate thermoplastic building wall base trim element, said trim element comprising an elongate front trim surface providing a finished desirable appearance, an inner wall having an elongate back surface adapted to be disposed against a building wall, at least a portion of said front trim surface hAving an elongate foldable cover portion, said cover portion being foldable outwardly relative to said inner wall whereby fasteners may be placed through said inner wall without passing through said cover portion, said cover portion being foldable inwardly and adapted to cover fasteners that may be placed through said inner wall, and elongate means for holding said cover portion in an inwardly folded position, wherein said foldable cover portion is a narrow strip relative to the width of the whole trim element and is disposed along a top edge of said trim element and an elongate skirt portion extends downwardly from said cover portion adapted to abut along a floor as said trim element is being affixed along a wall bottom edge, said building wall further comprising a second of said trim elements, said two trim elements each being suitable as base trim, wherein said foldable cover portion is disposed along a top edge thereof and elongate skirt portion extends downwardly from said cover portion, said skirt portion of one of said trim elements abutting a floor, and said skirt portion of the other of said trim elements overlapping the upper portion of the first said trim element. 